Nidhi
Nidhi (Sanskrit: निधि, romanized: nidhi) is a Sanskrit term meaning, "treasure". It is generally used to indicate the nine treasures called navanidhi (Sanskrit: नवनिधि, romanized: navanidhi) belonging to Kubera, the god of wealth.[1] According to tradition, each nidhi is personified as having a guardian spirit, with some Tantrikas worshipping them. The nature and characteristics of nidhis have remained largely unexplained and have not been fully understood.[2]
Description
According to the Amarakosha and the Padma Purana,[3] the nine nidhis are:
| Name | Meaning | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Mahapadma | "great lotus flower" | Twofold Himalayan lake |
| Padma | "lotus flower" | Himalayan lake |
| Shankha | "conch" | Conch shell |
| Makara | "crocodile" | black antimony |
| Kacchapa | "tortoise" | turtleshell |
| Mukunda | "a particular precious stone" | quicksilver |
| Kunda | "jasmine" | arsenic |
| Nila | "sapphire" | antimony |
| Kharva | "dwarf" | firebaked vessel |
References
- The Rāmāyaṇa of Vālmīki: An Epic of Ancient India, Volume VII: Uttarakāṇḍa. Princeton University Press. 11 September 2018. p. 577. ISBN 978-0-691-18292-6.
- Walker, Benjamin (9 April 2019). Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. In Two Volumes. Volume I A-L. Routledge. p. 615. ISBN 978-0-429-62421-6.
- Bhatt, Dr G. P.; Deshpande, Dr N. A. (1 January 2013). The Padma-Purana Part 10: Ancient Indian Tradition and Mythology Volume 48. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 3290. ISBN 978-81-208-3915-1.
Sources
- A Dictionary of Hindu Mythology & Religion by John Dowson
- A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature, by John Dawson, page 221
- Amarakosha, ed. W. L. Shastri Pansikar, v. 142
- Megha-duta, collected works, iv. 372. verse 534
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